Autoblog

LA 2010: Volkswagen "perfects" 2012 Eos convertible

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 01:20:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Convertible, Coupe, Volkswagen

2012 Volkswagen Eos - Click above for high-res image gallery

We knew this was coming. Just a few weeks ago, Volkswagen of Australia let loose a bunch of details and images of the next Eos hardtop convertible. At the time, we said we'd wait for confirmation from VW of America, but of course we knew the new model would eventually be announced for the States as it is the largest market for the German droptop, and it's getting its official debut right here in the U.S. at the LA Auto Show.

And so here we are with all the details and two full high-res image galleries of a U.S.-spec Volkswagen Eos, which VW claims has been "perfected." Sharp-eyed readers will notice refined front and rear fascias, which are a bit more in keeping with VW's most recent vehicular debuts. We think it's a pretty comprehensive improvement over the outgoing model, which always looked a bit too feminine to our eyes. We especially think the optional xenon headlamps with their 14 integrated LEDs help move the car a bit upscale.

Also as expected, VW will fit the next-gen Eos with the latest version of its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder powerplant, mated up to the well-known six-speed DSG transmission. Fuel mileage is estimated at 22 miles per gallon in the city and 31 on the highway. The interior sees a few updates as well, mostly with the addition of some new trim options and fabrics.

Expect the new Eos to hit a dealership near you sometime in March. In the meantime, feel free to click past the break for the official press release and be sure to check out the high-res image galleries below.

Gallery: LA 2010: 2012 Volkswagen Eos Live Photos

Gallery: LA 2010: 2012 Volkswagen Eos

Live photos copyright (C)2010 Jeff Glucker / AOL

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading LA 2010: Volkswagen "perfects" 2012 Eos convertible

LA 2010: Volkswagen "perfects" 2012 Eos convertible originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 01:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Volkswagen bringing back Golf Cabrio in 2011

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 14:21:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Plants/Manufacturing, Volkswagen

If you're like us, you've never found the Eos to be a fitting replacement for the long-running Golf-based Cabrio. Well, rejoice, Cabrio fans - it appears that Volkswagen will be bringing back the diminutive droptop sometime next year. And with the current Golf providing the groundwork, it shouldn't be too bad of a steer out on the road.

The German automaker has announced that it plans to add 1,800 jobs to its Osnabrück factory in 2011, and part of the reason for this is to assist in production of the upcoming Golf Cabrio. The Eos convertible will continue to be sold around the world, and we'll be seeing the refreshed version at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this month. Production of the Golf Cabrio is expected to begin in the Spring, so we'd imagine that official information will be available within the coming months. For now, hit the jump to read Volkswagen's (translated) press release. Thanks for the drop-top tip, Roebear!

[Source: Volkswagen via VW Vortex]

Continue reading Report: Volkswagen bringing back Golf Cabrio in 2011

Report: Volkswagen bringing back Golf Cabrio in 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 14:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen launches Exclusive upgrades for redesigned Eos

Noah Joseph — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Europe, Volkswagen, Luxury

Volkswagen Eos Exclusive - Click above for high-res image gallery

Volkswagen's campaign to move upmarket has been unrelenting. Between the likes of the Phaeton and the CC, the German automaker is not shying away from taking on BMW and Mercedes-Benz, or even its sister-company Audi, for that matter. VW's new Exclusive line does its part, too, upgrading existing models with some extra lux touches for those interested in a touch of added refinement.

The Touareg - another fine example of the luxurification of the People's Car - was the most recent to get the Exclusive treatment, and now VW has turned its attention to the newly refreshed Eos. Not only has the hard-top cabrio received a facelift and an engine swap, but now the Exclusive department has upgraded it with two-tone Nappa leather offset by aluminum and piano black trim, a new steering wheel and restyled door sills. The optional sport suspension comes standard on the Exclusive model, and buyers can choose from two 18-inch wheel designs. Pricing in Europe, where the Eos has been rolled out prior to its debut in other markets, starts at €35,275 (around $50,000 based on current exchange rates, not that those figures are comparable).

Gallery: Volkswagen Eos Exclusive

[Source: CarScoop]

Volkswagen launches Exclusive upgrades for redesigned Eos originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen Eos updated with GTI engine, crisper looks

Noah Joseph — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Volkswagen

2012 Volkswagen Eos - Click above for high-res image gallery

The trouble with hard-top convertibles - four-seat cabrios especially - is the added weight penalty. German automakers in particular have proven adept at counteracting the dynamic drawbacks that open-air flexibility brings, but sooner or later you're just going to need more power. And that's exactly what Volkswagen is doing with the Eos.

Often derided as a "hairdresser's car", the 2012 Eos has been treated to one of our favorite engines: the 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder from the Golf GTI. This 208-horspower engine - available with either a six-speed manual or dual-clutch transmission - can now take the Eos from a full stop to highway pace in 7.8 seconds. Overseas buyers can also specify the 138-hp 2.0-liter diesel (with the same transmission choices). Volkswagen has also included Hill Start Assist standard on the 2012 Eos, along with Vienna leather upholstery, heated seats, 17-inch wheels and some sheetmetal enhancements that brings its look in line with the rest of the brand's small car lineup.

Details have only been announced for foreign markets, and we've included the Australian press release after the jump while we wait for confirmation from Volkswagen of America. In the meantime you can check out the high-res images in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2012 Volkswagen Eos

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Volkswagen Eos updated with GTI engine, crisper looks

Volkswagen Eos updated with GTI engine, crisper looks originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen New Beetle still number one with the ladies

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:31:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Etc., Hatchback, Volkswagen

Volkswagen New Beetle - Click above for high-res image gallery

Men, take note: According to a new survey from research firm TrueCar, the Volkswagen New Beetle is (still) the ultimate car for women. Apparently, its combination of cute-as-a-button looks and affordable pricing make the reborn Bug a total hit with the fairer sex.

This data was determined not by some silly woman-on-the-street clipboard survey, but rather by looking at the registrations of more than 13 million vehicles over the past two years. We could have saved them quite a bit of work if they wanted to know that the New Beetle was a chick car, but whatever. There was some other interesting info gleaned from the research, including the revelation that 64% of all cars are registered by men despite the fact that there are more women (at 51% of the population, just a tad) than men in America.

Rounding out the top five vehicles that scored well with the mono-chromosomed gender were the Nissan Rogue, Hyundai Tucson, (saw this one coming) Volkswagen Eos and Volvo S40.

Gallery: 2009 Volkswagen New Beetle

[Source: The Wall Street Journal]

Volkswagen New Beetle still number one with the ladies originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hans Gruber, Your Ride Is Here: Volkswagen rolls out White Night Eos special edition

Chris Paukert — Thu, 28 May 2009 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Europe, Volkswagen, Specialty

Volkswagen Eos White Nights - Click above for high-res image gallery

We know that Volkswagen's new special-edition Eos isn't named after a mythical cavalry figure on an ivory steed, but when we heard that the automaker's latest model has been dubbed White Night, we couldn't get Harry Ellis, the cloying stereotypical Eighties businessman from the original Die Hard movie out of our heads ("Hans... Boobie... I'm your White Knight."). Given that the terrorists in this seminal Bruce Willis film are equally stereotypically cold Germans, we're not sure that authorities at the Deutsche automaker will appreciate what came to mind for us, but we digress.

In any case, the Eos White Night is big on contrast, with a Candy White body offset by a Deep Black Pearlescent roof, side mirrors, and radiator grille. The look is an interesting one, as it uproots one of the inherent strengths that the folding hardtop convertible medium achieves best - the ability to have a matching body shell and roof, something that isn't as easily achieved with a conventional folding cloth top.

In addition to the contrasting black-and-white motif, the White Night also receives cherry-red LED taillights, 18-inch "Budapest" alloys, as well as nappa black leather with contrasting light seams, White Night sill panels, and Candy White trim strips. Every White Night comes equipped with automatic climate control, sports suspension (lowered 15 mm) and heated front seats.

The special edition Eos is available for order with any engine save the gasoline V6 - but at this time, it is a Europe only model that starts at a tidy €33,140 (over $46k USD!). 1980's White Nights Mercury Sable owners, eat your heart out.

High-res gallery below, official press release after the jump.

Gallery: Volkswagen Eos White Nights

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Hans Gruber, Your Ride Is Here: Volkswagen rolls out White Night Eos special edition

Hans Gruber, Your Ride Is Here: Volkswagen rolls out White Night Eos special edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 May 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW Golf Cabrio returning in 2010, but Karmann won't build it

Noah Joseph — Fri, 23 May 2008 13:35:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Plants/Manufacturing, Volkswagen

VW Karmann Polo Cabrio: click to view in hi-res

Emerging reports suggest that the next-generation Volkswagen Golf (known in the United States as the Rabbit) will spawn a convertible version, however the German automaker won't be outsourcing its production to Karmann. The German coachbuilder has built every previous Golf Cabrio, but like many of its Italian counterparts, Karmann has been losing contracts left, right and center. The Chrysler Crossfire is out of production, Audi won't be turning to Karmann for the new A4 convertible, neither will Mercedes for the CLK cabrio. With the new Golf set to debut in Europe early next year, the cabrio is expected to follow a year later. Whether the convertible will make it Stateside remains to be seen, but CAR predicts that the Mk2 Eos will grow in size, be rebadged as the Passat Convertible and will retain its folding hard-top to allow the soft-top Golf to slot in below it.

[Source: CAR]

VW Golf Cabrio returning in 2010, but Karmann won't build it originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 May 2008 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In the Autoblog Garage: 2007 Volkswagen EOS

Chris Shunk — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:02:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, In the Autoblog Garage, Convertible, Coupe, Volkswagen, First Drives

click above image to view gallery of 2007 Volkswagen EOS

Even though Volkswagen has one of the fullest lineups in its history of selling cars in the U.S., these aren't the best of times in North America for the German automaker. Since 2005, VW has lost somewhere around $2 billion in the U.S. and the company has decided to lay off 30% of its workforce by moving its U.S. headquarters from Detroit to Virginia. Horrendous Euro to Dollar exchange rates are certainly part of the problem, but VW is having much more trouble offering Americans vehicles that fit our tastes.

The Volkswagen EOS hit the scene with surprisingly little fanfare, even though it combines the sporty 2.0T engine and athletic driving dynamics of a Rabbit with a killer hard-top convertible. The EOS appears to have everything it takes to be a summer classic, a claim we put to the test by inviting the car into our Autoblog Garage for a week.

Gallery: 2007 Volkswagen EOS

Continue reading In the Autoblog Garage: 2007 Volkswagen EOS

In the Autoblog Garage: 2007 Volkswagen EOS originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chicago Auto Show: MotorWeek Drivers Choice Awards

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Chevrolet, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Kia, Lexus, Porsche, Saturn, Toyota

We must admit that we were a bit surprised that MotorWeek's award for "Best Car of the Year" went to the Honda Fit. But, we suppose that it, uh, fits. We know, that was way too easy - feel free to mock us in the comments, we can take it. Here is the complete list of winners:

Best of the Year: Honda Fit
Best Small Car: wait for it... Honda Fit
Best Family Sedan: Saturn Aura
Best Minivan: Hyundai Entourage/Kia Sedona
Best Convertible: Volkswagen Eos
Best Luxury Sedan: Lexus LS
Best Sports Sedan: Infiniti G35
Best Performance Car: Ford Shelby GT500
Best Small Utility: Honda CR-V
Best Large Utility: Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon
Best Crossover Utility: GMC Acadia/Saturn Outlook
Best Pickup Truck: Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra
Best Eco-Friendly: Toyota Motor Corporation
Best Dream Machine: Jaguar XKR, Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, Porsche 911 Turbo

We can't say that we agree with many of these choices, but we didn't choose them, MotorWeek's editors did. We just typed them for your benefit, 'cause we're cool like that.

Chicago Auto Show: MotorWeek Drivers Choice Awards originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Feb 2007 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW Eos flubbs USA Today review by not starting

Chris Tutor — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 14:27:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Convertible, Volkswagen

USA Today's James Healey really liked the new VW Eos. "... boy, was the car nice when it wasn't broken." Uh oh. Broken? In technical terms, giving a non-working car to the nation's highest-circulation newspaper is offically called a "whoopsie." Healey loved how the Eos looked, drove and operated until he stopped for gas. After filling up, the gorgeous hardtop convertible showed signs of electrical problems by refusing to start. Not Good.

After waiting a few minutes for VW's mechanics to show up, Healey nervously played with the key fob, inadvertently opening the car's locks, thereby accidentally discovering the Goddess of the Dawn had awakened. After returning the car to its makers, Healey is told the car's battery cable had been disconnected for a recent car show and not properly replaced. Forgivable, we suppose. But then he's also told the mechanic found a missing seal in the car's air-intake system. A bit more difficult to explain.

Probably just an honest mistake that will never happen again and is not indicative of Eos's reliability. But then, not exactly the kind of thing you want printed in more than 2.2 million newspapers nationwide, or on Autoblog for that matter.

[Source: USA Today]

VW Eos flubbs USA Today review by not starting originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Jan 2007 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Popular Science lauds the VW Eos

Frank Filipponio — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 15:41:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Volkswagen

Volkswagen's Eos has been awarded one of the "2006 Best of What's New" prizes from Popular Science Magazine. The new stylish convertible apparently captured the fancy of the PopSci editors. And what's not to like really? A cute coupe/convertible WITH a sunroof in its hardtop? Pretty slick. But this isn't exactly a beauty contest they were voting on. In order to be eligible, "a product or technology must represent a significant step forward in its respective category," according to the winning announcement.

"Best of What's New" is the ultimate Popular Science accolade, representing a year's worth of work evaluating thousands of products," said Mark Jannot, editor of Popular Science. "These awards honor innovations that not only influence the way we live today, but that change the way we think about the future." And quite honestly, how many people were even thinking about a hardtop convertible NEEDING a sunroof, let alone advancing so quickly on making it happen? Kudos, Volkswagen. The full list of 100 automotive and other winners from the 10 categories will appear in the December edition of the mag. Full release after the jump.

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Popular Science lauds the VW Eos

Popular Science lauds the VW Eos originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 11 Nov 2006 15:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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